Aribelle pulled her hood closer as her and Marten passed through the market. Usually filled with people, it was particularly unruly that day in anticipation of the returning parade for Prince Orion's hunting party.
While Aribelle had fortunately avoided another round of interrogation from either of her friends, due to their busy schedules conducting respective duties. Her appearance had not escaped Barnibus's keen eyes either. Although encountering him in passing, his reaction had been no less severe than Mikel's, even gifting her with a new cloak to wear outside. Dyed a deep emerald, it was a simple cloak, made from a thick wool material. While, his motivations may have been thinly veiled with the pretense of cold weather to come and the excuse of replacing her old one. Aribelle was thankful for it nonetheless as they passed through the crowded streets.
Making a routine run to the market to procure supplies for the Abbey, Aribelle had agreed to take Marten to see the parade in exchange for helping her carry their shopping. In truth, this was merely an excuse to enjoy his company though. Even if it meant enduring the accompanying fanfare and crowds as the Prince and the Royal Knights marched through the streets of Valletta towards the palace, displaying trophies from their hunt.
Both of their baskets full they were jostled by people, as they struggled upstream to the main street. Finding it easier to navigate due to his small size, Marten began to press on ahead of her. Too weighed down by her load, Aribelle started to fall behind. Nearly carried along by the crowd the young boy reached back, and looping his arm through hers, pulled Aribelle along.
"I can't have you wandering off, sister." He said.
"How impertinent." She grumbled in response. Pouting a little Aribelle did not protest. Although, mildly embarrassed at receiving help from a boy under half her age, she was glad that he was considerate in this way.
Linked together, they continued to fight their way to the throng of people. Despite the cooling temperatures, both became hot and sweaty by the time they had reached a spot nearest to the road. Aribelle, breathing heavy by this point, she adjusted the hood of her cloak finding it had become increasingly stifling after the exertion. Uncomfortable still, she shifted the basket of supplies she was holding. Accustomed to carrying substantial supplies, Aribelle, usually did not find these errands to be too strenuous.
Only beginning to realize her weakened state at this time, she convinced herself that she would be able to last until they returned to the Abbey. Watching Marten's face light up with excitement as the procession paraded past, Aribelle ignored her exhaustion. Holding true to her resolve, she was able to withstand the constant nudge of people vying for a better position. That was until the first regiment of the Prince's soldiers, known as the Lion Guard, started to pass. Provoking a swell of cheers and admiring exclamations from the crowd, they flailed and pushing against her. Unable to withstand their force, Aribelle swayed unsteadily.
Noticing this, Marten stood in front of her. Although, he could not prevent her from falling, he managed to guide her the ground safely. Narrowly avoiding the immediate danger of toppling under the hooves of a passing officer, he knelt beside her "Sister, sister what's wrong?" he asked worried. Aribelle's legs buckling under the pressure from the crowd, both sat on the dirtied cobble street.
Choking on the dust kicked up by the soldiers' horses and feet as they marched past, Aribelle looked at Marten apologetically, "Sorry Marten, I don't feel too well."
Without even a moment's hesitation the boy replied immediately, "Let's go home." His frame still too small to help her up, he looked around at the stares from surrounding members of the crowd imploringly before asking, "Can you stand?"
Nodding weakly, Aribelle forced herself to stand with her dwindling strength. Soon noticing that the horse she had nearly been trampled by early had come to a halt, her gaze drifted towards its rider guardedly. Her hood falling during the kerfuffle, Aribelle's identity was now clearly exposed to all around them. Her appearance, leaving the knight a top of the steed stupefied he stared at her for a few moments.
After it appeared his evaluation of her had concluded, he inquired "My Lady, are you quite alright?" Not making an effort to aid her in her struggle Aribelle barely managed to get to her feet. Feeling compelled to flee upon observing the calculatedness of the officer's gaze, she stumbled backwards. Fearing that she was unable to stop her inevitable descend, Aribelle was stunned when she backed into what felt as solid as a stone wall.
"So, this is where you were, Fawn." Said a deep familiar voice from behind her. Only ever hearing the voice in her head prior, his words still seemed to send her thoughts swirling dizzily within her mind even when spoken aloud. Placing a hand on her waist, Cassius pulled her closer so that she could lean into him.
Steadying herself, Aribelle tilted her face upwards towards him. Faintly beginning to utter a question as she did so, large specks obstructed her vision. Growing thicker, she was only able to breathe half a name as her sight darken completely, "Cass-".
After this, Aribelle only remembered the embrace of two strong arms catching her, before falling completely unconscious.